Rob Reiner

Actor / Director


The Academy of Television Arts & Sciences Foundation Presents

02:26

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About
About this interview

In his four-hour Archive interview, Rob Reiner talks about growing up surrounded by the group of comedy legends that included his father, Carl, Sid Caesar, and Mel Brooks. He discusses his first forays into performing and lists some of his early television appearances. He discusses his work as a television writer, particularly his staff job on the last season of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, for which he was partnered with Steve Martin. Reiner speaks in great detail about his next significant career achievement as a regular on the groundbreaking sitcom All in the Family. He discusses working with the series ensemble, describes his character "Mike 'Meathead' Stivic," and talks about the collaborative atmosphere on the set. Reiner then details his work as a director of feature films including such now-classic movies as "This Is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me," "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally…" and "Misery." Reiner also talks about his role in the creation of Castle Rock Productions and his then-current work on children's development awareness, through "Parents Action for Children." Karen Herman conducted the interview on November 29, 2004 at Reiner's Castle Rock Productions offices in Beverly Hills, CA.

All views expressed by interviewees are theirs alone and not necessarily those of the Television Academy.

"Literally every day of my life, somebody will say, 'Hey, Meathead!' No matter what I do with my life - I could win the Nobel Prize - it will say, 'Meathead wins Nobel.' It doesn't matter. I have Norman Lear to thank for that."

People Talking About ...
Highlights
Rob Reiner on his professional acting debut, and on his first directing jobs
03:38
Rob Reiner on "Mike's" nickname "Meathead" on All in the Family, which came from what Norman Lear's father used to call him
00:47
Rob Reiner on a typical work week on All in the Family
03:38
Rob Reiner on his final regular All in the Family episode "The Stivics Go West"
03:25
Rob Reiner on directing the feature film Stephen King's "Stand By Me"
06:46
Rob Reiner on working with show creator Norman Lear on All in the Family
03:40
Full Interview

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Chapter 1

On his early life and influences; on famous people who used to visit his father Carl Reiner at home when he was a little boy; on witnessing his father Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks doing their "2000 Year Old Man" routine when he was a kid
On his memories of Sid Caesar from when he was a child, and on a 1994 reunion of Your Show of Shows writers; on his mother, Estelle Reiner and on his family's sense of humor while he was growing up; on interest in reading, sports, television and movies when he was growing up
On the burden of being the son of Carl Reiner, and on how he dealt with it; on how Carl and Estelle Reiner dealt with his wanting to get into show business, and on working with Albert Brooks early on; on his visiting the set of his father Carl Reiner's series The Dick Van Dyke Show, and on how the show reflected his own family life

Chapter 2

On the way marriage was portrayed on The Dick Van Dyke Show; on his professional acting debut, and on his first directing jobs; on his television acting debut on Hey Landlord! created by Garry Marshall
On appearing on various series, including That Girl, Gomer Pyle, and The Mothers-In-Law from which he was fired after a fight with Desi Arnaz; on guest-starring on Batman, and on playing a number of hippies; on leaving UCLA, and on getting his first acting jobs
On writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featuring Tom and Dick Smothers; on being partnered with Steve Martin on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and on the writer's room of that show; on censorship issues surrounding The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour mostly handled by Tom Smothers
On the regulars on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, as well as the musical guests; on writing for The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour; on the end of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and on writing plays

Chapter 3

On writing the special Romp!!! and on his writing partner Phil Mishkin; on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family; on auditioning with wife Penny Marshall for All in the Family, and on Sally Struthers being cast as "Gloria Stivic"
On working with show creators Norman Lear and Bud Yorkin on All in the Family ; on how he felt All in the Family would be received by the public; on his All in the Family character "Mike 'Meathead' Stivic"
On "Mike Stivic's" relationship with "Gloria Stivic" played by Sally Struthers on All in the Family; on working with Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family ; on Carroll O'Connor and Norman Lear's relationship on All in the Family

Chapter 4

On making "Archie Bunker" more acceptable to audiences, and on his relationship with "Mike Stivic"; on working with Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family ; on working with Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family
On the birth of "Mike" and "Gloria's" son "Joey Stivic" on All in the Family; on issues some of the cast had with their contracts on All in the Family; on working with Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family and Isabel Sanford as "Louise Jefferson"
On various guest stars on All in the Family including Beatrice Arthur, Vincent Gardenia, and Betty Garrett; on a typical work week on All in the Family
On the biggest laughs from the studio audience on All in the Family and on censorship issues with the show; on the writing process of All in the Family

Chapter 5

On the writing process of All in the Family; on winning Emmy Awards for All in the Family; on writing various episodes of All in the Family
On his final All in the Family episode "The Stivics Go West"; on the legacy of All in the Family; on writing the series The Super and various other projects
On working on various projects, and on working with Penny Marshall, who he was married to; on hosting an early episode of Lorne Michaels' Saturday Night Live

Chapter 6

On working with his father, Carl Reiner, on Good Heavens; on creating and starring on the short-lived 1978 sitcom Free Country; on directing Likely Stories and The T.V. Show
On making the transition from television to feature films with "This is Spinal Tap"; on directing the feature film Stephen King's "Stand By Me"
On directing the feature film "Misery" starring Kathy Bates; on directing the feature film "When Harry Met Sally" starring Billy Crystal; on directing the feature film "A Few Good Men" written by Aaron Sorkin

Chapter 7

On directing the feature film North; on deciding on what projects he wants to direct; on his directing style and working with his editor
On various people he worked with in his career including Christopher Guest, River Phoenix, Mandy Patinkin and Mike Nichols; on his various production partners; on various people he worked with in his career including Lauren Bacall, Michael J. Fox, James Woods, and Ellen DeGeneres
On his production company, Castle Rock; on his production company Castle Rock's producing Seinfeld

Chapter 8

On the talents of Jerry Seinfeld and the success of Seinfeld produced by Castle Rock; on the then-current status of Castle Rock; on guest-starring on The Larry Sanders Show and appearing in various feature films
On his charity "I Am Your Child"; on career achievements and regrets
On advice to aspiring actors, writers, and directors; on his family; on how he'd like to be remembered
Shows

All in the Family

View Show Page
Rob Reiner on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family
02:20
Rob Reiner on auditioning with wife Penny Marshall for All in the Family, and on Sally Struthers being cast as "Gloria Stivic"
01:22
Rob Reiner on working with show creator Norman Lear on All in the Family
03:40
Rob Reiner on working with Bud Yorkin on All in the Family, and on writing episodes of the series
05:48
Rob Reiner on how he felt All in the Family would be received by the public
01:25
Rob Reiner on his All in the Family character "Mike 'Meathead' Stivic" and on being directed by John Rich
04:24
Rob Reiner on "Mike's" nickname "Meathead" on All in the Family, which came from what Norman Lear's father used to call him
00:47
Rob Reiner on "Mike Stivic's" relationship with "Gloria Stivic" played by Sally Struthers on All in the Family
01:47
Rob Reiner on working with Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family
03:21
Rob Reiner on Carroll O'Connor and Norman Lear's relationship on All in the Family
02:23
Rob Reiner on making "Archie Bunker" more acceptable to audiences, and on his relationship with "Mike Stivic"
04:36
Rob Reiner on working with Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family
02:10
Rob Reiner on working with Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family
01:59
Rob Reiner on the birth of "Mike" and "Gloria's" son "Joey Stivic" on All in the Family
00:47
Rob Reiner on issues some of the cast had with their contracts on All in the Family
01:35
Rob Reiner on working with Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family and Isabel Sanford as "Louise Jefferson"
01:32
Rob Reiner on various guest stars on All in the Family including Beatrice Arthur, Vincent Gardenia, and Betty Garrett
03:59
Rob Reiner on a typical work week on All in the Family
03:38
Rob Reiner on the set and cameras of All in the Family and
03:39
Rob Reiner on the biggest laughs from the studio audience on All in the Family and on censorship issues with the show
02:52
Rob Reiner on the writing process of All in the Family
03:45
Rob Reiner on the writing process of All in the Family
06:04
Rob Reiner on winning Emmy Awards for All in the Family
01:08
Rob Reiner on writing various episodes of All in the Family
05:36
Rob Reiner on his final All in the Family episode "The Stivics Go West"
03:25
Rob Reiner on the legacy of All in the Family
01:40

Batman

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Rob Reiner on guest-starring on Batman, and on playing a number of hippies
01:34

Dick Van Dyke Show, The

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Rob Reiner on his visiting the sets of his father Carl Reiner's series The Dick Van Dyke Show, and interacting with stars Jerry Paris and Mary Tyler Moore
03:24
Rob Reiner on how The Dick Van Dyke Show reflected his own family life
01:22
Rob Reiner on the way marriage was portrayed on The Dick Van Dyke Show
00:56

Emmy Awards, The (Primetime and Daytime)

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Rob Reiner on winning Emmys for All in the Family
01:08

Free Country

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Rob Reiner on creating and starring on the short-lived 1978 sitcom Free Country
02:54

Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour, The

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Rob Reiner on writing for The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
02:03

Good Heavens

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Rob Reiner on working with his father, Carl Reiner, on Good Heavens
00:46

Happy Days

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Rob Reiner on contributing writing to the pilot for Happy Days
01:32

Headmaster

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Rob Reiner on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family
02:20

Hey Landlord!

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Rob Reiner on his television acting debut on Hey Landlord! created by Garry Marshall
01:06

Larry Sanders Show, The

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Rob Reiner on guest-starring on The Larry Sanders Show
00:50

Mothers-In-Law, The

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Rob Reiner on appearing on various series, including That Girl, Gomer Pyle, and The Mothers-In-Law from which he was fired after a fight with Desi Arnaz
01:55

Romp!!!

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Rob Reiner on writing the special Romp!!! and on his writing partner Phil Mishkin
01:21

Saturday Night Live

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Rob Reiner on hosting an early episode of Lorne Michaels' Saturday Night Live
03:51

Seinfeld

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Rob Reiner on his production company Castle Rock's producing Seinfeld
02:37
Rob Reiner on the talents of Jerry Seinfeld and the success of Seinfeld produced by Castle Rock
02:40

Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, The

View Show Page
Rob Reiner on writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featuring Tom and Dick Smothers
05:39
Rob Reiner on being partnered with Steve Martin on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and on the writer's room of that show
01:19
Rob Reiner on censorship issues surrounding The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour mostly handled by Tom Smothers
03:07
Rob Reiner on the regulars on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, as well as the musical guests
02:04
Rob Reiner on the cancellation of The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, and what he learned from his time on the show
01:37

Super, The

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Rob Reiner on writing the series The Super
00:46

T.V. Show, The

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Rob Reiner on directing The T.V. Show, which spawned Spinal Tap
02:42

That Girl

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Rob Reiner on appearing on various series, including That Girl, Gomer Pyle, and The Mothers-In-Law from which he was fired after a fight with Desi Arnaz
01:55

Your Show of Shows

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Rob Reiner on his memories of Sid Caesar from when he was a child, and on a 1994 reunion of Your Show of Shows writers
03:59
Topics

Advice

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Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring actors
00:47
Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring comedy writers and directors
01:16

Censorship / Standards & Practices

View Topic
Rob Reiner on the biggest laughs from the studio audience on All in the Family and on censorship issues with the show
02:52

Characters & Catchphrases

View Topic
Rob Reiner on "Mike's" nickname "Meathead" on All in the Family, which came from what Norman Lear's father used to call him
00:47

Emmy Awards

View Topic
Rob Reiner on winning Emmys for All in the Family
01:08

Pop Culture

View Topic
Rob Reiner on "Mike's" nickname "Meathead" on All in the Family, which came from what Norman Lear's father used to call him
00:47

Studio and Network Management

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Rob Reiner on his production company, Castle Rock
05:56

Television Industry

View Topic
Rob Reiner on the biggest laughs from the studio audience on All in the Family and on censorship issues with the show
02:52
Rob Reiner on his production company, Castle Rock
05:56
Rob Reiner on the then-current status of Castle Rock
00:45
Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring actors
00:47
Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring comedy writers and directors
01:16
Professions

Actor

View Profession
Rob Reiner on what his All in the Family co-star Carroll O'Connor taught him about acting, in terms of the importance of quality material
02:55
Rob Reiner on what his All in the Family co-star Carroll O'Connor taught him about acting, in terms of the importance of quality material
02:55
Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring actors
00:47

Directors

View Profession
Rob Reiner on deciding on what projects he wants to direct
01:29
Rob Reiner on his directing style
02:06
Rob Reiner on working with editors as a director
01:00
Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring comedy writers and directors
01:16

Performers

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Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring actors
00:47

Writers

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Rob Reiner on advice to aspiring comedy writers and directors
01:16
Genres

Comedy Series

View Genre
Rob Reiner on his visiting the sets of his father Carl Reiner's series The Dick Van Dyke Show
04:46
Rob Reiner on the way marriage was portrayed on The Dick Van Dyke Show
00:56
Rob Reiner on his television acting debut on Hey Landlord! created by Garry Marshall
01:06
Rob Reiner on appearing on various series, including That Girl, Gomer Pyle, and The Mothers-In-Law from which he was fired after a fight with Desi Arnaz
01:55
Rob Reiner on playing "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family
27:17
Rob Reiner on playing "Mike Stivic" on All in the Family
30:32
Rob Reiner on starring on All in the Family
17:53
Rob Reiner on working with his father, Carl Reiner, on Good Heavens
00:46
Rob Reiner on creating and starring on the short-lived 1978 sitcom Free Country
02:54
Rob Reiner on directing Likely Stories
01:49
Rob Reiner on his production company Castle Rock's producing Seinfeld
05:56
Rob Reiner on the talents of Jerry Seinfeld and the success of Seinfeld produced by Castle Rock
02:40
Rob Reiner on guest-starring on The Larry Sanders Show
00:50

Cop/Detective/Mystery Series

View Genre
Rob Reiner on guest-starring on Batman, and on playing a number of hippies
01:34

Drama Series

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Rob Reiner on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family
02:20

Music Shows & Variety Shows/Specials

View Genre
Rob Reiner on writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featuring Tom and Dick Smothers
15:49
Rob Reiner on writing for The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
02:03
Rob Reiner on writing Romp!!!
01:21
Rob Reiner on guest hosting Saturday Night Live
03:51
Rob Reiner on directing The T.V. Show, which spawned Spinal Tap
02:42
People

Jennifer Aniston

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Rob Reiner on directing Jennifer Aniston in Rumor Has It
00:34

Desi Arnaz

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Rob Reiner on appearing on various series, including That Girl, Gomer Pyle, and The Mothers-In-Law from which he was fired after a fight with Desi Arnaz
01:55

Beatrice Arthur

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Rob Reiner on various guest stars on All in the Family including Beatrice Arthur, Vincent Gardenia, and Betty Garrett
03:59

Lauren Bacall

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Rob Reiner on directing Lauren Bacall in "Misery"
00:26

Mel Brooks

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Rob Reiner on witnessing his father Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks doing their 2000 Year Old Man routine when he was a kid
03:12

Albert Brooks

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Rob Reiner on how Carl and Estelle Reiner dealt with his wanting to get into show business, and on working with Albert Brooks early on
02:14

Sid Caesar

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Rob Reiner on his memories of Sid Caesar from when he was a child, and on a 1994 reunion of Your Show of Shows writers
03:59

Glen Campbell

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Rob Reiner on writing for The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour
02:03

Billy Crystal

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Rob Reiner on directing the feature film "When Harry Met Sally" starring Billy Crystal
02:58

Joan Cusack

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Rob Reiner on directing John Cusack
01:20

Mike Evans

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Rob Reiner on working with Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family and Isabel Sanford as "Louise Jefferson"
01:32

Michael J. Fox

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Rob Reiner on directing Michael J. Fox in "The American President"
00:47

Vincent Gardenia

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Rob Reiner on various guest stars on All in the Family including Beatrice Arthur, Vincent Gardenia, and Betty Garrett
03:59

Betty Garrett

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Rob Reiner on various guest stars on All in the Family including Beatrice Arthur, Vincent Gardenia, and Betty Garrett
03:59

Andy Griffith

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Rob Reiner on appearing on the Andy Griffith series Headmaster, from which he got cast on All in the Family
02:20

Christopher Guest

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Rob Reiner on Christopher Guest
01:00

Stephen King

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Rob Reiner on directing the feature film Stephen King's "Stand By Me"
06:46

Norman Lear

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Rob Reiner on working with show creator Norman Lear on All in the Family
03:40
Rob Reiner on Carroll O'Connor and Norman Lear's relationship on All in the Family
02:23

Garry Marshall

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Rob Reiner on his television acting debut on Hey Landlord! created by Garry Marshall
01:06

Penny Marshall

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Rob Reiner on auditioning with then-wife Penny Marshall for All in the Family, and on Sally Struthers being cast as "Gloria Stivic"
01:22
Rob Reiner on working with then-wife Penny Marshall
03:42

Steve Martin

View Person Page
Rob Reiner on being partnered with Steve Martin on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour and on the writer's room of that show
01:19

Lorne Michaels

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Rob Reiner on hosting an early episode of Lorne Michaels' Saturday Night Live
03:51

Mary Tyler Moore

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Rob Reiner on his visiting the sets of his father Carl Reiner's series The Dick Van Dyke Show, and interacting with stars Jerry Paris and Mary Tyler Moore
03:24

Mike Nichols

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Rob Reiner on Mike Nichols
00:35

Carroll O'Connor

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Rob Reiner on working with Carroll O'Connor as "Archie Bunker" on All in the Family
03:21
Rob Reiner on Carroll O'Connor and Norman Lear's relationship on All in the Family
02:23

Jerry Paris

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Rob Reiner on his visiting the sets of his father Carl Reiner's series The Dick Van Dyke Show, and interacting with stars Jerry Paris and Mary Tyler Moore
03:24

Mandy Patinkin

View Person Page
Rob Reiner on directing Mandy Patinkin in "The Princess Bride"
00:39

Michelle Pfeiffer

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Rob Reiner on directing Michelle Pfeiffer in "The Story of Us"
00:22

Carl Reiner

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Rob Reiner on famous people who used to visit his father Carl Reiner at home when he was a little boy
01:15
Rob Reiner on witnessing his father Carl Reiner and Mel Brooks doing their 2000 Year Old Man routine when he was a kid
03:12
Rob Reiner on the burden of being the son of Carl Reiner, and on how he dealt with it
03:11
Rob Reiner on how Carl and Estelle Reiner dealt with his wanting to get into show business, and on working with Albert Brooks early on
02:14
Rob Reiner on how Carl and Estelle Reiner dealt with his wanting to get into show business, and on working with Albert Brooks early on
02:14
Rob Reiner on the burden of being the son of Carl Reiner, and on how he dealt with it
03:11
Rob Reiner on working with his father, Carl Reiner, on Good Heavens
00:46

Estelle Reiner

View Person Page
Rob Reiner on his mother, Estelle Reiner and on his family's sense of humor while he was growing up
03:35
Rob Reiner on how Carl and Estelle Reiner dealt with his wanting to get into show business, and on working with Albert Brooks early on
02:14

Isabel Sanford

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Rob Reiner on working with Mike Evans as "Lionel Jefferson" on All in the Family and Isabel Sanford as "Louise Jefferson"
01:32

Jerry Seinfeld

View Person Page
Rob Reiner on the talents of Jerry Seinfeld and the success of Seinfeld produced by Castle Rock
02:40

Dick Smothers

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Rob Reiner on writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featuring Tom and Dick Smothers
05:39

Tom Smothers

View Interview Page
Rob Reiner on writing for The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour featuring Tom and Dick Smothers
05:39
Rob Reiner on censorship issues surrounding The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour mostly handled by Tom Smothers
03:07

Aaron Sorkin

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Rob Reiner on the feature film "A Few Good Men"
02:06

Jean Stapleton

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Rob Reiner on working with Jean Stapleton as "Edith Bunker" on All in the Family
02:10

Sally Struthers

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Rob Reiner on auditioning with wife Penny Marshall for All in the Family, and on Sally Struthers being cast as "Gloria Stivic"
01:22
Rob Reiner on "Mike Stivic's" relationship with "Gloria Stivic" played by Sally Struthers on All in the Family
01:47
Rob Reiner on working with Sally Struthers as "Gloria Stivic" on All in the Family
01:59

Wil Wheaton

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Rob Reiner on directing River Phoenix, Wil Wheaton and Kieffer Sutherland in Stand By Me
02:05

Bruce Willis

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Rob Reiner on directing Bruce Willis in "North"
00:37

James Woods

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Rob Reiner on directing James Woods in "A Few Good Men"
00:47

Bud Yorkin

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Rob Reiner on working with Bud Yorkin on All in the Family, and on writing episodes of the series
05:48

All Interviews

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